We recently connected with Claire Vitale and have shared our conversation below.
Claire, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I think my purpose found me—in pieces, over time, through experiences that cracked me open and asked me to show up differently.
Becoming a foster parent with my husband fundamentally changed me. I’ve always been empathetic, but fostering deepened that tenfold. You form intense bonds with children in your care, and often with their biological families—people you may barely know, but feel deeply connected to. There’s joy, heartbreak, love, and loss all wrapped together. That experience taught me how to hold space for others, how to see what someone or something needs in a moment, and show up accordingly—with presence, grace, and intention.
As a business owner, that same drive shows up in a different way. I’m not motivated by revenue or ego—I’m motivated by value. If I can build a company that truly serves our clients and gives my team the freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment they deserve, that’s a win in my book. Whether we’re helping a client hire one person or ten, we show up for them as long as they need us. That’s something foster care taught me too—being a steady presence for the time you’re called to be.
Outside of work and home, I’ve found grounding in endurance sports like trail running and half Ironmans. They remind me that the hard things—the really worthwhile things—often require steady grit, quiet patience, and an ability to keep showing up even when you’re tired. That mirrors my purpose too.
I also love helping other entrepreneurs get started. I’ll share every mistake I’ve made (and there are plenty) if it helps someone else skip a step or take a leap with more confidence. My core values—bravery, wonder, intuition, grace, and legacy—guide how I live and lead. If I can help create something meaningful, offer what’s needed in a moment, or leave a space better than I found it, then I’m on the right path.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I run a boutique recruiting firm called Claire Myers Consulting, and we specialize in helping wealth management teams, advisory firms, and non-profits find the kind of talent that’s not just qualified—but aligned. We’re known for uncovering exceptional candidates that others miss, and we’re often brought in when a hire is mission-critical or nuanced.
What I love most is that our work is never just about filling a job. It’s about understanding what a business truly needs—sometimes before they even know it themselves—and then helping them attract someone who can grow with them. We get to serve as both a strategic partner and a trusted sounding board to our clients, and there’s something deeply fulfilling about helping people make decisions that will shape the future of their teams.
I’m especially excited right now about how we’re doubling down on our niche. Over the past year, we’ve become even more embedded in the wealth management and non-profit space—and it’s where we do our best work. We’re also quietly expanding our network of referral partners, which has been such a rewarding way to stay community-rooted in how we grow.
On a personal note, I think being a foster parent has deeply influenced how I show up professionally. It’s made me even more present, more empathetic, and more committed to creating outcomes that serve everyone involved—whether it’s a child in our home for a short time or a business making a pivotal hire. That through-line of purpose connects everything I do, and I’m grateful for it.
If you’re building a team or even just thinking about hiring, I’d love to connect.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three things have been the most impactful in my journey: Empathy & Grace, Grit, and the understanding that a strong team is your greatest business asset.
Empathy and grace have shaped how I lead, how I parent, and how I work with clients. Fostering kids especially taught me how to hold space for people—whether they’re in crisis, transition, or just trying their best. If you can listen with empathy and respond with grace, you’ll build trust faster than any strategy ever could.
Grit, for me, looks a lot like trail running. You’re out there, you take a tumble, you get scraped up—but you get back up. You’re scattered for a bit, maybe hurting, but you keep moving forward. I’ve learned that same kind of grit from life at home, too—my husband is a firefighter with CalFire, which means there are long stretches where I’m holding down the fort solo. That rhythm teaches you how to stay calm in the chaos, how to keep going when things don’t go as planned, and how to trust your own strength. Professionally, it’s no different—every day brings a curveball, and grit is the muscle that carries you through.
And finally: a strong team is the best business asset you can have. I’ve learned that great ideas are only as good as the people bringing them to life. When you invest in the right team, everything else moves faster and better. If you’re just starting out, don’t try to go it alone—surround yourself with people who align with your vision and challenge you to grow.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Two books that have really impacted me are The Art of Listening by Erich Fromm and 10x is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy.
The Art of Listening shifted how I think about connection in every relationship—personally, professionally, and in parenting. It explores how listening isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. The way we need to listen to a friend in crisis is different from how we listen to a team member needing clarity or a child needing comfort. The biggest takeaway? Sometimes the best thing you can do is just shut up. Be fully present. Let people feel seen and heard without jumping in to fix or direct.
10x is Easier Than 2x gave me the clarity and permission to simplify. The core idea is that going 10x bigger is actually easier than just growing incrementally—if you’re willing to focus your energy on the one thing that truly drives results. After reading it, we narrowed our business from coaching, consulting, and training to focusing exclusively on recruiting and team building. That singular focus transformed everything—our growth, our systems, and our impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.clairemyersconsulting.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-m-vitale-995a613/
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